A gusty nor’easter heading toward the East Coast has forced several Brooklyn street fairs and events to cancel, reschedule, and head indoors.
The storm is tracking closer to New York City than had initially been predicted, and is expected to bring heavy rain and high winds between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning, with the worst impacts between Friday night and Saturday night. Around 2-3 inches of rain are predicted for New York City, per the National Weather Service, with wind gusts up to 50 mph.
A travel advisory is in effect across the city starting Friday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m., and city officials are asking New Yorkers to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary trips if possible.
“The forecast path of this storm has moved closer to our city, and it is bringing more rain and stronger winds with it,” Mamdani said in a statement. “City workers are clearing catch basins, preparing for downed trees and positioning emergency resources in areas that could see coastal flooding.”
A travel advisory is in effect as the city braces for a powerful nor’easter. File photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Flash flooding is unlikely, per the NWS, but Mamdani said New Yorkers who live in basement apartments should be ready to move to higher floors if the need arises, and warned people to stay away from low-lying coastal roads during high tide.
“We are particularly watching the Friday evening and Saturday morning high tides, especially in the Rockaways, around Jamaica Bay and along the Staten Island and Brooklyn shorelines,” said Christina Farrell, commissioner of New York City Emergency Management. “Move your car away from streets that regularly flood, secure anything outside that could become airborne and never drive or walk through floodwater.”
OEM is also advising residents to help clear catch basins, charge their devices, and check in on neighbors who may need some help. New Yorkers can sign up to receive live updates from the city via NotifyNYC.
As Brooklynites batten down the hatches, they’re also clearing their calendars. Events from Brooklyn Heights to Bay Ridge have been canceled or rescheduled, including the normally rain-or-shine Ragamuffin Parade.
The beloved costume parade, which had been slated to take place on Saturday, was rescheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 3 after some finagling by organizers and Council Member Kayla Santosuosso.
“Couldn’t let the 60th Anniversary of the largest kids march in New York City be rained on,” Santosuosso wrote on Facebook. Ragamuffin is RESCHEDULED for Saturday 10/3! Thank you to the NYPD for hearing our plea and to the organizers for their tireless efforts.”
The beloved Ragamuffin Parade was moved to next weekend. File photo by Arthur de Gaeta
The nearby Third Avenue Festival, originally scheduled for Sept. 27, has likewise been moved to Sunday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., with a similar lineup of shopping, rides and food.
Up in Park Slope, the massive Super Stoop sidewalk celebration will be shifted from Sept. 26 to Oct. 3. In an email, Park Slope Civic Council president Donna Stein said the long-range forecast predicts the makeup day will be warm and sunny – and that most of the 500 participating locations are expected to participate next weekend.
Brooklyn’s largest street fair, Atlantic Antic, has also been postponed from Sunday to Oct. 4, from 12-6 p.m.
“Due to the severe weather in this weekend’s forecast, the city has granted us permission to postpone the Atlantic Antic to Sunday, October 4!” the group wrote on Instagram. “We want everyone to enjoy the festival safely and we’re looking forward to celebrating with you on our new date!”
The Brooklyn Book Festival’s final weekend is still on in Downtown Brooklyn and Brooklyn Heights, but with some changes.
“Unfortunately due to the dangerous conditions of the wind, the Children’s Book Market and the Festival Day Marketplace will be cancelled,” said BBF co-producer Liz Koch.
All Brooklyn Book Festival activities have been moved indoors.File photo by Paul Frangipane
All outdoor author events scheduled for the weekend have been moved indoors, to stages inside Brooklyn Borough Hall, the Brooklyn Law School, and the Brooklyn Heights Library. Children’s Day events will still be hosted at Brooklyn Borough Hall and at the library. More information about each event is available online.
It’s not the first time the festival has been impacted by severe weather. Back in 2022, book worms made the best of a bad situation, enjoying cozy panels and readings at St. Ann’s Church and Borough Hall after a storm forced them indoors.